Tuesday 19 November 2013
If an individual or company fails to submit their 2012 tax return by 30 November 2013, they will be issued with a reminder of their obligation to comply with the Income Tax Law (unless they have been specifically advised by the Income Tax Office that a return does not have to be submitted by this date).
If taxpayers choose to ignore this reminder and take no action to rectify their failure, an automatic initial penalty of £100 will be imposed, followed by a continuing penalty of £10 for each day that the return remains outstanding.
This will be the second year that the issue of a reminder to submit outstanding returns is automated. Last year an additional 7,000 returns were submitted in November and December, following the issue of reminders, but there were still over 4,400 taxpayers issued with a penalty notice.
Whilst, the initial automatic penalty will once again be £100 in relation to the calendar year 2012 return, for future years the initial penalty will be the maximum of £300 allowed by the Income Tax Law.
For those individuals who have not yet completed the calendar year 2012 return, it is possible to do this online (companies are required to file online). Returns submitted online will be dealt with as a priority to paper returns, and if any individual submits their return by 30 November 2013 they will also be entered into a free draw* for a chance to win one of three cash prizes of £2,500, £1,500 or £1,000. Please go to https://eforms.gov.gg to register.
Alternatively, individuals can download and print a paper return from our website at www.gov.gg/personaltaxreturns. Paper returns are also available to collect from a number of points around the island, which include the Income Tax Office, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, the Guille-Alles Library, States Office in Alderney and the Administration Office in Herm. Details of further collection points can also be found on our website at www.gov.gg/personaltaxreturns."
Rob Gray, Director of Income Tax, said:
"Whilst this is the first year that paper tax returns have not been issued by post, the obligation for all individuals and companies to submit a return of their income remains, unless they have been notified, in writing, that a return is not required.
Over 80% of taxpayers have already filed their returns, with 33% of those choosing to file online. Whilst this is very encouraging, with the 30 November filing deadline now just over three weeks away, I would encourage the remaining 20% to submit their 2012 tax return now to avoid a late filing penalty. We recommend everyone to use the online filing facility if they are able to, and for those individuals that do so, good luck in the prize draw! "
-ENDS-
*subject to terms and conditions which may be viewed at www.gov.gg/tax
